Katcha S.'s Reviews

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2008 Olympics: Beijing 2008 Complete Opening Ceremony
2008 Olympics: Beijing 2008 Complete Opening Ceremony (2008)
Release Year: 2008
Date: 9/27/2016 12:41 ET
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

The Chinese presented a very beautiful and thoughtful event but NBC twisted it into a Amerikan centric point of view. My interest in the Olympics continues to wane and this presentation reflects why. The only positive I can think of is if such events could prevent WWIII. Time will tell. Congratulations to China for a very modern presentation that could only happen because there are over a billion people to spread the costs over.

A ONE time view, on one's computer so you can fast forward thru the poli-tick B$ and just enjoy the fabulous presentation parts.

Review Date: 9/27/2016
An Unfinished Life
An Unfinished Life (2006)
Actors: Jennifer Lopez, Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman
Release Year: 2006
Date: 1/25/2013 12:55 ET
1 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Lovely movie with great actors in roles that show their hearts. A thoughtful review of human interactions, loss and renewing too.

Review Date: 1/25/2013
Boeing Boeing
Boeing Boeing (2012)
Actors: Jerry Lewis, Tony Curtis, Thelma Ritter
Release Year: 2012
Date: 3/25/2019 7:06 ET

The real star of this movie is Thelma Ritter. Tony Curtis is fine as the playboy playing all ends against the middle. Jerry Lewis uncharacteristically plays straight man to Tony Curtis making this the only movie I enjoy Jerry Lewis in.

With airlines becoming buses with wings and airline hostesses being one step above waitresses at coffee shops, the story line suffers a bit, but overall its a fun 'screwball' comedy.

Review Date: 3/25/2019
The Castle
The Castle (1999)
Actors: Michael Caton, Anne Tenney, Stephen Curry
Release Year: 1999
Date: 10/30/2008 7:37 ET
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

OK the comedy is silly and almost lame at times, but the tongue-in-cheek honestly behind it all is charming and RIGHT. You might very well fall asleep in a class during a property rights discussion, but I bet you 'get' it after seeing this ;-)

Review Date: 10/30/2008
Charade
Charade (0)
Date: 2/8/2013 9:19 ET
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Great movie, HORRIBLE copy! This 'Treasure Box' issue is so sub standard its like watching an old VHS tape. Far better to select a better copy of this wonderful movie.

Review Date: 2/8/2013
Dressmaker, The
Dressmaker, The (2016)
Actors: Kate Winslet, Liam Hemsworth, Hugo Weaving
Release Year: 2016
Date: 1/23/2017 1:20 ET
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Right at the beginning I realized this movie was a winner spiced with a 'spaghetti western' style of presentation. P J Hogan's humor is laced through out it while Kate Winslet's class carries the story. An undercurrent of morality is kept interesting by the FUN and outrageously glamorous outfits that brighten the dusty town setting.

I wouldn't say this was everyone's cup-of-tea but for those who enjoy an excellent spoof and delightfully different movie, I am much challenged to find a better example.

Review Date: 1/23/2017
The Favourite (DVD)
The Favourite (DVD) (0)
Date: 7/11/2019 5:48 ET
1 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.

Despite a good cast and potentially interesting subject, this movie is a muddled one. Just shows that politics and spoiled 'gentry' aren't decent folk nor to be trusted running a country.

Review Date: 7/11/2019
FIRST COW [Blu-ray + DVD]
FIRST COW [Blu-ray + DVD] (2020)
Actors: Toby Jones, Kelly Reichardt
Release Year: 2020
Date: 6/24/2021 10:43 ET
2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

A SLOW dud which messes up a potentially good story. So dark in night shots that one can't tell what is going on. And its a muddled mess of historic in inaccuracies - dates vs. actual historic times way off. I would have liked to see the characters succeed but the director didn't seem to have any direction . . .

Review Date: 6/24/2021
The Great Race
The Great Race (2002)
Actors: Tony Curtis, Natalie Wood, Jack Lemmon
Release Year: 2002
Date: 10/28/2015 3:03 ET
2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Very much a long time favorite and classic comedy that is also a satire on melodramas. Too many grin makers to count, one keeps happening right after the other. And the pie throwing scene has to be the BEST and most FUN to have been in that Hollywood EVER has made (or will either). My only disappointment with the dvd is that it is only in widescreen which reduces the detail too much. The old VHS version we had with its 'full screen' revamping was actually more fun to watch because character expression and details of costume, scenery etc. made it easier to follow and enjoy.

Review Date: 10/28/2015
High Noon (Collector's Edition)
High Noon (Collector's Edition) (2002)
Actors: Gary Cooper, Grace Kelly, Thomas Mitchell
Release Year: 2002
Date: 10/30/2008 7:43 ET
2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Wow, simply wow. A simple yet great morality play in a western setting. Understated in pace and tone, but impact galore. Don't miss the Special Features which are as wonderful as the movie. A classic in the real sense.

Review Date: 10/30/2008
Hot Millions
Hot Millions (2009)
Actors: Peter Ustinov, Maggie Smith, Karl Malden
Release Year: 2009
Date: 2/21/2013 2:39 ET
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

This is a movie I would catch now and then on either daytime or late night movie channels. Its not so much a 'great' movie as a fun one with wonderful cast and delightfully silly a story. I especially liked it for its OLD computer set up since I'm old enough to remember such a time. Love the 'twist' in the ending too. Can't wait to get my own copy since this seems to be a more unknown selection to find.

Review Date: 2/21/2013
The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games (2012)
Actors: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth
Release Year: 2012
Date: 5/9/2019 1:03 ET
3 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.

This first in the series isn't all that bad, but overall I found it less mature and misleading. Its too typical of Hollyweird to create a 'hero' which everyone defers to instead of acting in their own best way. I guess its too much to ask for a movie where the 'hero' is found in one's mirror.

Review Date: 5/9/2019
It's Complicated
It's Complicated (2010)
Actors: Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin
Release Year: 2010
Date: 1/18/2013 7:55 ET
2 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.

OK, I'm old fashioned (comes from being married for nearly 50 years) and I also haven't got a huge warm and cozy with the quasi-spoiled rich Hollywood image of life either. So its no surprise to find that this movie was over long, silly in an indulged way and most likely ONLY to be appreciated by those who have been divorced and re-married etc. Its such a 'today' cliche including the 'kids' who are all over 21 years of age and actors passing themselves off as at least 10 years younger than they are.

The only thing complicated about this movie is the reason anyone would watch it.

Review Date: 1/18/2013
The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing
The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing (2009)
Actors: Burt Reynolds, Sarah Miles, Lee J. Cobb
Release Year: 2009
Date: 7/2/2013 12:57 ET
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

To me its a huge shame and misunderstanding that a great bulk of viewers/critics rate this movie as a 'turkey'. Certainly its a near cliche of a western but that is exactly why its so wonderful - to me its a satire on melodramas and stereotype characters. And characters they are - perfectly cast and played by the actors. Sarah Miles as the 'trophy wife' who got tired of being unloved, Bert Reynolds as the ex-officer who made a mistake that cost him dearly, Lee J. Cobb as the lawman who understands the situation and sees it through, and especially George Hamilton as the 'wounded' husband who is more concerned about his pride than his wife. And others who play their parts in the drama behind the apparent story. The only ding of this movie is that it doesn't reveal the back story as well as the book did, but conversely the movie ends better than the book. Don't watch this expecting a classic western, but as a tale of people who lived during that time. Doubly interesting is that the story was written by a woman and is not a 'macho' tale as usually told by western (male) authors. I think Zane Grey would have enjoyed this one too.

Review Date: 7/2/2013
The Man Who Sued God
The Man Who Sued God (2007)
Actors: Billy Connolly, Judy Davis, Colin Friels
Release Year: 2007
Date: 10/30/2008 7:34 ET

We really liked Billy Connolly in Her Majesty, Mrs. Brown and he does not disappoint here either. The story could have been just silly except that there is this one little 'sticker' of a point - and a bloody good one it is!! We should all be so well represented when we fight our own little lost causes ;-)

(a wee bit like The Castle, another great Aussie flick :)

Review Date: 10/30/2008
The Man with the Golden Arm / Suddenly
The Man with the Golden Arm / Suddenly (1999)
Actors: Frank Sinatra, Kim Novak, Sterling Hayden
Release Year: 1999
Date: 3/2/2009 10:09 ET

I was happy to have Suddenly included with the better known The Man With The Golden Arm. This seldom viewed movie was a better than we anticipated - with good direction and acting too. The story was believable and only the littlest bit overly patriotic - reflecting the times (1950s) that the movie was made in. Worth this disk even for just this movie!

Review Date: 3/2/2009
The Matrix
The Matrix (1999)
Actors: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss
Release Year: 1999
Date: 1/25/2018 11:38 ET
1 of 4 member(s) found this review helpful.

Needs a new category - sci-ACTION.

DUD!!! Oh it had potential, but padding the story with clichés and mindless action scenes did NOT add to or expand on the idea that the title implies. Hollyweird has become 'formula' driven and this is more a feature for that than any intelligent sharing of a concept that everyone SEEMS to 'get'. Phooey - give me Blade Runner any day.

Review Date: 1/25/2018
Now, Voyager (Snap case)
Now, Voyager (Snap case) (2001)
Actors: Bette Davis, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains
Release Year: 2001
Date: 9/12/2019 11:41 ET

This is one of those classics that I had not seen before. Can't say I adored the story, but as usual Bette Davis was excellent in her acting. Costume and makeup deserve some credit in helping to portray the change from frump to attractive but Ms. Davis's characterizations were very good too. The story is quite in line with those times and would be very different if this was done today.

Review Date: 9/12/2019
The Old Man & The Gun (DVD)
The Old Man & The Gun (DVD) (0)
Date: 7/9/2019 10:27 ET
1 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

We have long enjoyed Redford's movies. Sorta sad that this would be his last. Its just not a great movie and we were left wondering why he would make it? My thought is that Redford identified with the old man who liked what he did and was just good at it. Sound like Redford????

OK one time watch. Not one that we would watch again,but glad we saw it anyway. (gladly local library has it)

Review Date: 7/9/2019
Once Upon a Time in the West
Once Upon a Time in the West (2010)
Actors: Charles Bronson, Henry Fonda, Jason Robards
Release Year: 2010
Date: 11/12/2017 10:26 ET
1 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Its interesting to note that the other review under this listing likewise is a lower rating. This same title but another listing (Amazon?!?) all has 5 star ratings!

The main reason I wanted to add my review is to note how SLOW this movie feels. Its like watching paint dry . . . Yes its a great artsy-fartsy piece with dramatic build up of scenes and wonder about how the story will unfold or conclude. And we are not whose who must have action-action-ACTION in order to stick thru a movie. However we weren't prepared for seeing a western treated like a director's wet dream. The slowness of this movie is nothing like that of High Noon or even The Magnificent Seven which builds momentum as the story unfolds. The plot actually plods along - in between minute long close ups of actor's eyes.

If you enjoy such film fest type offerings, this is for you. We would rather watch other old classic westerns. About the only reason we stayed with this movie to the end was to find out the ending - so-so at that.

Review Date: 11/12/2017
Once Upon a Time in the West
Once Upon a Time in the West (2003)
Actors: Charles Bronson, Claudia Cardinale, Jack Elam
Release Year: 2003
Date: 11/12/2017 10:15 ET
1 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

The main reason I wanted to add my review is to note how SLOW this movie feels. Its like watching paint dry . . . Yes its a great artsy-fartsy piece with dramatic build up of scenes and wonder about how the story will unfold or conclude. And we are not whose who must have action-action-ACTION in order to stick thru a movie. However we weren't prepared for seeing a western treated like a director's wet dream. The slowness of this movie is nothing like that of High Noon or even The Magnificent Seven which builds momentum as the story unfolds. The plot actually plods along - in between minute long close ups of actor's eyes.

If you enjoy such film fest type offerings, this is for you. We would rather watch other old classic westerns. About the only reason we stayed with this movie to the end was to find out the ending - so-so at that.

Review Date: 11/12/2017
Other People's Money
Other People's Money (2005)
Actors: Danny DeVito, Gregory Peck, Penelope Ann Miller
Release Year: 2005
Date: 9/17/2014 4:58 ET
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Its great that this movie is entertaining to watch, but the REAL value of this movie is that it is a TRUE LITMUS TEST of a viewer's attitudes and appreciation of what is too commonly labeled capitalism (vs. socialism). Capitalism is about private ownership - basically if one is honored and honors, in mutual respect, the right of any person to have and make use of what s/he 'owns'. And that ownership includes custodial duties. (Socialism is government/social ownership of production)

Listen very carefully to what is said by the characters as well as the FACTS presented through out the movie and you will find that Gregory Peck's character is operating more from an emotional basis than a business one. DeVito's character is no nonsense about his business which is based on facts AND includes an unspoken caring about doing what is BEST for all involved. His making 'money' doing that is payment for the efforts he puts in.

About the only negative I can find about this movie is the title - OTHER People's Money is misleading in my mind, but I figure it was settled on for its attention grabbing ability ;-) If you are lucky enough to get a copy, watch it the great thinking it can inspire, but also for the fun and wonderful 'people' story that it contains too.

Review Date: 9/17/2014
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray] (2020)
Release Year: 2020
Date: 2/2/2021 12:20 ET
2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Boringly slow without being 'tension building' that would justify developments between an artist and subject. Same sex/gender (so called) love stories seem to be all the rage. OK, but why not advertise as such? Why 'sneak' the story in???

Review Date: 2/2/2021
P.S. I Love You [HD DVD]
P.S. I Love You [HD DVD] (2008)
Actors: Kathy Bates, Michael Countryman, Gina Gershon
Release Year: 2008
Date: 1/17/2013 8:08 ET

Amazing movie! And what really more amazing is that there are over 20 people Wishing for this movie with no copies available of this ISBN and there are IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE 10 copies in another ISBN listing.

Anyone want it enough to switch items on their Wish List?!? :-))

Review Date: 1/17/2013
Sahara (Widescreen Edition)
Sahara (Widescreen Edition) (2005)
Actors: Matthew McConaughey, Steve Zahn, Penelope Cruz
Release Year: 2005
Date: 3/4/2009 11:22 ET
3 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.

We were pleasantly surprised by this movie. Sure its a fantasy type thriller, but the guys kept it fun and overall it moved along well so that the silly parts didn't sour it. So much better than Fool's Gold!! And any Clive Cussler fan will definitely want to see this movie.

Review Date: 3/4/2009
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